Outlaw Trackdown Read Online Free

said.
    â€œHe shot poor Ed Zeigler in the head and laughed and said that Mr. Brenner should guess.” Mabel dabbed at her nose with a sleeve and the marshal took a folded handkerchief from a pocket and gave it to her.
    â€œWhen you can, go on.”
    Mabel nodded. She blew her nose and said, “Sorry,” and crumpled the handkerchief in her lap. “Anyway, Mr. Brenner moved toward Ed, and Hoby Cotton hit him with his six-shooter. Then Hoby shook him and told him to open the safe but Mr. Brenner refused. Even with blood streaming down his head, Mr. Brenner looked that ruffian right in the eye and refused.”
    â€œBrenner was lucky Cotton didn’t shoot him.”
    â€œHoby almost did. But then Amanda came running, yelling at him to leave her father alone. And do you know what that monster did next?”
    Coltraine waited.
    â€œHe grabbed Amanda and shoved his gun in her face and told Mr. Brenner that if he didn’t open the safe, he’d do to her as he’d just done to Ed.”
    â€œSo Brenner opened the safe.”
    â€œWhat else could he do?” Mabel said. “See his daughter gunned down in front of his very eyes?” She shed more tears and sniffled. “Mr. Brenner went to the safe and opened it. He had to do it quickly, too, because Hoby had pulled back the hammer on his revolver and was saying as he’d by-God do it if Brenner didn’t move faster.”
    â€œHow much did they get?”
    â€œI don’t know. Only Mr. Brenner would,” Mabel answered. “They stuffed some burlap sacks with everything from the safe and the teller’s drawer and even rifled my drawers looking for more. Then that Timbre, who was looking out the door the whole time, said as how he saw you and the deputy and that people were coming from all over and they’d best fan the breeze. And they left.”
    â€œDid the others say anything? Hoby’s brothers, for instance?”
    â€œI didn’t pay much attention to them. It was Hoby Cotton I was watching.”
    â€œThink, Mabel,” Coltraine urged. “It’s important. They might have let drop some clue to where they’re headed.”
    â€œI don’t recall a word about that,” Mabel said. “And if you head right out after them, you won’t need a clue. All you’ll need is a good tracker.”
    â€œI’ve already thought of that,” Coltraine said, and looked over at Fargo.
    â€œHell,” Fargo said.
    Coltraine squeezed Mabel’s hand and stood. “Deputy Wilkins will take you back to the bank. Do what you can to get me a tally on how much they stole.”
    â€œWhy is that so important?”
    â€œIt just is.” Coltraine eased her out of the chair and guided her to the door, where Deputy Wilkins took over and escorted her from the office.
    â€œI have to attend to the bodies and go talk to the banker,” Coltraine said. “Stay put until I get back.”
    â€œHold on,” Fargo said. “I didn’t volunteer to track for you.”
    â€œYou’re doin’ it whether you want to or not.”
    â€œYou can’t force me.”
    â€œYou did see them take the girl? She’s only eighteen. And you know what they’ll do to her.”
    Fargo frowned. “She’s the only reason I’d agree. But I’d like to be asked.”
    â€œFair enough. I’m askin’. But you still have to pay your fine.” Coltraine opened the door. “Your Colt is in the middle drawer on the left. We leave in half an hour.”
    â€œThe sooner, the better. Every minute you waste . . . ”
    â€œI know,” Coltraine said gruffly, and was gone.
    Fargo reclaimed his Colt and made sure five pills were in the wheel. He spun it a few times and twirled it into his holster and patted it. Going out, he watched as a buckboard rattled around a corner and several men prepared to load the bodies.
    A pall of gloom had